By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-17 14:36:14 | Updated at 2025-03-18 03:46:49
13 hours ago
A top Hong Kong narcotics official has rejected calls to offer cash rewards for tip-offs about the newly emerged drug “space oil”, stressing authorities should take a “very careful” approach to avoid affecting the development of young people.
Commissioner for Narcotics Kesson Lee told a Legislative Council security panel meeting on Monday that a spate of arrests, including of teenagers, had been carried out in connection with the drug since a key ingredient was banned last month.
Legislator Chow Man-kong suggested the government consider rolling out a rewards scheme to encourage people to report suspected cases of space oil abuse via a dedicated platform.
“Could schools tell their students: ‘Hey, there will be a prize for reporting abuse, with a large sum of money’? I think this is the most effective way in combating usage, even more effective than advertising,” Chow said.
Lee dismissed the suggestion.
“We must handle this very carefully as youngsters can be quite rebellious,” he said.
